Water Retention Features

Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership

Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program

Accepting Applications

RALP funding supports the rejuvenation or the establishment of water retention or shallow groundwater type features on agricultural landscapes in Ontario. The feature must be a minimum of 15 feet deep to qualify for funding.

Water retention features result in more resilient agricultural landscapes with an increased ability to help farmers adapt to changing climate conditions and manage fluctuations in water resources, creating more resilient agricultural production and providing many other ecological and water quality benefits.

Intake	Intake Dates	Eligible Project Start Date (Invoice Date)	Eligible Project Completion Date	Claim Deadline	Previous Intake Guide
1	Intake Open: October 24, 2023 Intake Close: February 2, 2024, 5pm ET	Date indicated in approval letter*	A Land Use Agreement must be entered into by the date communicated in your project approval notification. Projects must be completed by December 15, 2024	Initial Deadline – will be communicated in your project approval notification Final Deadline – December 15 of each year Note that some projects may be assigned a longer payment structure.	View
2	Intake Opens: June 3, 2024, 9:00am ET The intake will close when the available funding has been fully allocated.	Date indicated in approval notification*	Date indicated in approval notification* Projects must be completed by December 15, 2025	Initial Claim: Date indicated in approval notification* Project Completion Claim: December 15, 2025 Additional claim deadlines may be required for larger projects.

Intake

Intake Dates

Eligible Project Start Date (Invoice Date)

Eligible Project Completion Date

Claim Deadline

Date indicated in approval notification*

*The eligible project dates are included in the approval notification issued by OSCIA for each successful application. Eligible activities can only be initiated and paid for by the applicant on or after the start date specified on the approval notification.

$6,000/acre for rejuvenating an existing water retention feature and/or shallow groundwater type feature (minimum depth 15 feet after rejuvenation)

$10,000/acre for establishing a new water retention feature and/or lined reservoir type feature (minimum depth 15 feet)

PROJECT CATEGORY DETAILS

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Who is Eligible to Apply? 

A valid farm business registration number (FBRN)For information on registering a farm business and/or a religious exemption, visit Overview (agricorp.com). .
A Religious Exemption Letter provided by the OMAFRA Appeal Tribunal (provide with application submission).
A Cultural Exemption Letter provided by the First Nations Agriculture Finance Ontario (FNAFO), formerly known as the Indian Agricultural Program of Ontario to First Nations farmers, verifying the farm business operates in a First Nations community (provide with application submission).
An income exemption from the Farm Property Class Tax Rate Program (i.e., Start-up farm businesses, Business structure change, Not a normal production year, Age/Illness/Death of a spouse) (provide with application submission).

Have a verified, 4^th Edition Environmental Farm Plan;
Be willing to enter into a signed Land Use Agreement with OSCIA, committing the farm business to maintaining the proposed practice on the acres being applied for, for a set timeline as defined in the Land Use Agreement; and,
Be in compliance with all requirements of the law and must remain in compliance for the duration of the project.

Privately owned farmland, including all managed lands for agricultural production (e.g., crop land, grazing, orchards, etc.), as well as wetlands, woodlots, and yard sites associated with farming operations;
Land rented for agricultural production from a third-party;
Federal, Provincial, Municipal, or Territorial Crown Land, under lease for the purpose of agricultural practices; or,
Indigenous lands being managed for the purpose of agricultural production.

Eligible Activities and Costs

Eligible Activities

that reaches at least 15 feet in depth.

Site excavation, earthwork, equipment rentals, erosion control, ditch plugs, tile drainage removal.
Liners for reservoirs (must meet minimum technical standards confirmed by technical expert).
(Re-)establishment of plantings and buffers, up to a maximum of 5 meters or less surrounding the project’s water surface area, as recommended by a technical specialist. Species must be non-invasive.
Livestock exclusion fencing (required if the project is in a location with current livestock access) and associated alternate water supply systems to move water from the feature to a distribution point.
Costs of third-party technical expertise to support detailed project planning, design, planting/establishment, and on-going consultation to maintain a healthy water retention feature.

Ineligible Activities and Costs

Ineligible Activities

Activities related to wetland restoration or establishment (see Wetlands).
Vegetated areas (grasses/trees/shrubs) beyond a maximum 5 meter buffer surrounding the water surface area (see Tree and Shrub Planting).
Activities related to improvement/creation of ponds intended primarily for recreational use that do not support managing water on the farm property.
Erosion control structures not related to the water retention feature (e.g., unrelated WASCOBs, grassed waterways, gully stabilization, etc.).
Water distribution equipment such as irrigation lines and associated equipment.
Water treatment systems.
Wastewater ponds/water features intended for managing greenhouse or other point source water discharges.
Planting of invasive species.
Tile drainage removal that is not directly related to the Water Retention Feature, and is not included in the letter of support.
Restoration or establishment of water features on lands where livestock will have unrestricted access to the water feature.
Activities supported by any federal, provincial, or municipal funding programs outside of the funding being applied for.
Activities and expenditures as detailed in the section Other Ineligible Activities

How Much Funding is Available?

Funding is available under RALP at a per-acre rate for completing the approved resilient agricultural landscape project. Two rates are available, depending on the nature of the proposed project:

Rate 1: $6,000/acre to rejuvenate an existing water retention feature and/or shallow groundwater type feature (minimum depth 15 feet)
Rate 2: $10,000/acre to establish a new water retention feature and/or a lined reservoir type feature (minimum depth 15 feet)

An initial payment of up to fifty per cent (50%) of the total approved project funding allocation, up to a maximum of $30,000 will be issued upon the applicant beginning their project and the signing of a Land Use Agreement between the applicant and OSCIA. Smaller projects will receive the balance of funding upon project completion, while larger projects may receive payments for up to four (4) years after annual confirmation of project maintenance. OSCIA will determine payment schedule at the time of application.

Applicants may submit up to two (2) active applications across all project categories at any given time in the intake. The maximum RALP funding allocation for a single project is $150,000.

Effective for applications submitted after April 1, 2024, a single applicant (farm business) may receive approval for new projects up to a maximum of $400,000 in total RALP funding for the duration of RALP (2024-2028).

What You Need to Know About In-Kind Contributions

How Much Cost-Share Funding Is Available?

Conservation Agreements

Key Guidelines

Required Participation in Knowledge Sharing Events

Merit Assessment Criteria

Land Use Agreements

RALP aims to provide long-term carbon sequestration through the use of Land Use Agreements. Before the first funding payment can be issued, approved RALP applicants are required to sign a Land Use Agreement with OSCIA.

In the Land Use Agreement to support eligible practices in the Water Retention Features project category, participants commit to implement and maintain the approved project for a minimum of ten (10) years.

The Agreement is not on title, but producers must notify OSCIA of land ownership or control changes. If the current farmer is not the landowner, a written lease agreement between the landowner and the applicant farm business indicating that the land is managed by the applicant/ the applicant has control of the lands for the term of the agreement must be included with the application. The expectation is the project will be maintained according to recommended best practices to provide long-term benefits for carbon sequestration and resilience for the farm.

Note: OSCIA reserves the right to verify practice implementation including conducting inspections before the final payment is issued and throughout the duration of the Land Use Agreement. If the practice is not maintained as outlined in the approved application and signed Land Use Agreement, applicants will be required to repay all funding received for the approved project.

What Do I Need to Apply?

Applications are evaluated based only on the information submitted and will not be considered if they do not meet the eligibility criteria or if they are incomplete.

Be sure to carefully review the Resilient Agricultural Landscapes Program guide in entirety. Before you can apply, you will need to visit osciaportal.org and create a user account. Once you have created a user account, if the intake is open, you will be able to enrol and submit an application.

You must include all of the information listed under Documentation Required With the Application with your application submission. You will be required to provide a detailed work plan on your application form that clearly outlines your commitment to implementing the proposed, eligible practice.

You will also be required to enter into a Land Use Agreement upon approval of your application. If the required documentation is not received with the submission, the application may be considered incomplete and denied funding.

Documentation Required with the Application

Certificate of completion for a 4th Edition Environmental Farm Plan.
Detailed site map(s) based on a satellite image (e.g., using GoogleMaps, AgMaps) of the project site. The site map(s) must show the address or GPS coordinates and total area (acres) of the proposed project. For an example of a site map, click here.
Letter of support must be provided by a qualified, arms-length third-party, who has demonstrated experience planning, designing, and creating water retention features, such as a Conservation Authority, engineer, or contractor, using the provided template.

Qualified experts who provide letters of support will receive $200 compensation for each completed letter (one letter per application). Compensation is contingent upon the completion of all requested data fields in the template.

HERE

How Do I Submit My Application?

Applications are only accepted during the application intakes dates noted above.

The Enrolment and Application Form and all required documentation can be submitted electronically through the OSCIA Portal:
If the intake is not currently accepting applications, you may still visit osciaportal.org to create a user account and be ready for upcoming opportunities.

Limits of the Cost-Share Funding

Limits of the Funding

OSCIA reserves the right to require additional documentation to support confirming a decision for all submitted funding applications.
The eligible start date for your project is the date specified on the approval notification issued by OSCIA for each successful application. Projects cannot be started before that date.
OSCIA issues an initial payment after the applicant has committed to maintaining the practice for the required period of time, as outlined in a signed Land Use Agreement and complete claim package. Final payments are issued after the approved practice has been fully implemented on the acres applied for, and all required final claim documentation has been received by OSCIA. Larger projects may be awarded extended payment timelines. The project must be paid for in full by the applicant prior to funding being issued.
Applicants are responsible for securing all necessary approvals and permits for the proposed project before starting and complying with all applicable municipal bylaws and provincial or federal regulations. OSCIA may require copies of permits obtained for some projects before issuing payments.
OSCIA reserves the right to require additional documentation and ultimately accept or reject a claim for funding consideration.
Stacking of Resilient Agricultural Landscapes Program (RALP) funding from one or more businesses towards the same project is not permitted.
RALP funding cannot be stacked with any other federal, provincial, or municipal sources of funding.
Activities funded under RALP will not be entitled to carbon credits/greenhouse gas (GHG) offsets for the duration of the land use agreement, after which, applicants may be eligible for Federal and Provincial GHG offset systems, as applicable.
All goods and services must be purchased from an entity that is at arm’s length from the farm business. An entity is considered arm’s length if they are not related, not affiliated persons or otherwise controlled by another member or members. Parent/child and siblings, through blood or marriage, or businesses owned by the same individual(s) are not considered arm’s length. Refer to Section 251 of the Income Tax Act (Canada) for the additional detail on determining arm’s length relationships.
Projects that have received funding are routinely inspected. The decision to inspect may be based on project type, amount of funding, or any other criteria selected by OSCIA. Projects may also be inspected randomly. Inspections may be carried out before the final claim is paid or may also be carried out to confirm the project complies with the signed Land Use Agreement through out the term of the agreement. Biosecurity protocols are followed by all representatives of OSCIA.
Funding is intended to cover the costs associated with successful project establishment, on-going maintenance to support the new practice for the term of the land use agreement, and to encourage long-term changes to improve resiliency of the farm and increase carbon sequestration in alignment with the goals of RALP.
Information presented is the best available at the current time. In the event of a conflict between anything set out in this program guide and/or any other program material and the Minister’s Order, the Minister’s Order will prevail. Errors and Omissions excepted. Check with OSCIA for applicable updates. Material is subject to change without notice as the program evolves.

Other Ineligible Costs and Activities

Other Ineligible Activities

Projects that have the sole purpose of coming into or maintaining compliance with Requirements of the Law that pertain to current business operations.
Normal operating costs associated with conducting or expanding a business’ current operations, including annual service fees of any type.
Any cost that is eligible for a rebate, credit, or refund (e.g., a refundable portion of the Harmonized Sales Tax).
Gifts and incentives.
Any cost purchased from a supplier who is not at arm’s length from the applicant (i.e., businesses owned the same individual(s), or by siblings or parents, through blood or marriage).
Applicant’s costs of travel, hospitality, meals, and/or accommodations.
Permits and approvals.
Purchase, lease, construction or sale of land, buildings or facilities, and associated taxes or fees (e.g., land transfer tax).
Extended warranties, taxes, legal fees, financing charges, loan interest payments, bank fees.

How Do I Submit a Claim?

If an application is approved for an allocation, written confirmation will be provided by OSCIA by email. This approval notification will include:

Confirmation of eligible invoice dates, project completion and claim submission deadlines.
A Land Use Agreement, which must be entered into by the applicant before the initial payment can be issued.
Information required with the claim submission.
Links to the necessary documents (e.g., Claim Form, Electronic Funds Transfer Form, Claim Questionnaire, etc.).
Information on how to submit the claim.

The applicant must enter into a signed Land Use Agreement with OSCIA, committing the approved farm business to maintaining the eligible practice for a set period of time and the signed Agreement must be included with the initial claim submission.

The project must be complete, operational, and fully paid for before a final claim is submitted. Each claim after the initial claim must be supported by at least one of the following:

Five to six photos of the project site(s) taken after the project is complete with the date(s) the photos were taken, a geo-referenced point (i.e., identifiable landmark) and GPS coordinates.
Written confirmation from the technical specialist, consultant or Conservation Authority that confirms project is complete and that the anticipated outcomes have been achieved.

Note: OSCIA reserves the right to verify project implementation including conducting a site inspection before the final payment is issued and throughout the duration of the land use agreement. If the project is not maintained as outlined in the approved application and signed Land Use Agreement, applicants will be required to repay all funding received for the approved project.

Payments are made by electronic funds transfer (EFT) in the name of the legal business. All funding is considered income to the business for tax purposes. OSCIA will issue a tax form (AGR-1) and report the amount paid to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA); this is why an applicant’s Social Insurance Number (SIN) is collected if the applicant does not have a CRA Business Number. Only one claim can be submitted per project per program year, and only one payment will be made per claim.

If you have any questions about program requirements, project timelines or claim submission dates, contact OSCIA at:
s-cap@ontariosoilcrop.org.

Qui peut présenter une demande?

A valid farm business registration number (FBRN)For information on registering a farm business and/or a religious exemption, visit Overview (agricorp.com). .
A Religious Exemption Letter provided by the OMAFRA Appeal Tribunal (provide with application submission).
A Cultural Exemption Letter provided by the First Nations Agriculture Finance Ontario (FNAFO), formerly known as the Indian Agricultural Program of Ontario to First Nations farmers, verifying the farm business operates in a First Nations community (provide with application submission).
An income exemption from the Farm Property Class Tax Rate Program (i.e., Start-up farm businesses, Business structure change, Not a normal production year, Age/Illness/Death of a spouse) (provide with application submission).

Have a verified, 4^th Edition Environmental Farm Plan;
Be willing to enter into a signed Land Use Agreement with OSCIA, committing the farm business to maintaining the proposed practice on the acres being applied for, for a set timeline as defined in the Land Use Agreement; and,
Be in compliance with all requirements of the law and must remain in compliance for the duration of the project.

Privately owned farmland, including all managed lands for agricultural production (e.g., crop land, grazing, orchards, etc.), as well as wetlands, woodlots, and yard sites associated with farming operations;
Land rented for agricultural production from a third-party;
Federal, Provincial, Municipal, or Territorial Crown Land, under lease for the purpose of agricultural practices; or,
Indigenous lands being managed for the purpose of agricultural production.

Activités et dépenses admissibles

Activités admissibles

that reaches at least 15 feet in depth.

Site excavation, earthwork, equipment rentals, erosion control, ditch plugs, tile drainage removal.
Liners for reservoirs (must meet minimum technical standards confirmed by technical expert).
(Re-)establishment of plantings and buffers, up to a maximum of 5 meters or less surrounding the project’s water surface area, as recommended by a technical specialist. Species must be non-invasive.
Livestock exclusion fencing (required if the project is in a location with current livestock access) and associated alternate water supply systems to move water from the feature to a distribution point.
Costs of third-party technical expertise to support detailed project planning, design, planting/establishment, and on-going consultation to maintain a healthy water retention feature.

Activités et dépenses non admissibles

Activités non admissibles

Activities related to wetland restoration or establishment (see Wetlands).
Vegetated areas (grasses/trees/shrubs) beyond a maximum 5 meter buffer surrounding the water surface area (see Tree and Shrub Planting).
Activities related to improvement/creation of ponds intended primarily for recreational use that do not support managing water on the farm property.
Erosion control structures not related to the water retention feature (e.g., unrelated WASCOBs, grassed waterways, gully stabilization, etc.).
Water distribution equipment such as irrigation lines and associated equipment.
Water treatment systems.
Wastewater ponds/water features intended for managing greenhouse or other point source water discharges.
Planting of invasive species.
Tile drainage removal that is not directly related to the Water Retention Feature, and is not included in the letter of support.
Restoration or establishment of water features on lands where livestock will have unrestricted access to the water feature.
Activities supported by any federal, provincial, or municipal funding programs outside of the funding being applied for.
Activities and expenditures as detailed in the section Other Ineligible Activities

Ce que vous devez savoir sur les contributions en nature

Combien d’aide financière à frais partagés est disponible?

Combien d’aide financière est disponible?

Funding is available under RALP at a per-acre rate for completing the approved resilient agricultural landscape project. Two rates are available, depending on the nature of the proposed project:

Rate 1: $6,000/acre to rejuvenate an existing water retention feature and/or shallow groundwater type feature (minimum depth 15 feet)
Rate 2: $10,000/acre to establish a new water retention feature and/or a lined reservoir type feature (minimum depth 15 feet)

Ententes de conservation

Lignes directrices

Entente pour l’utilisation des terres

Critères d’évaluation fondés sur le mérite

De quoi ai-je besoin pour présenter une demande?

Documentation requise pour une demande

Certificate of completion for a 4th Edition Environmental Farm Plan.
Detailed site map(s) based on a satellite image (e.g., using GoogleMaps, AgMaps) of the project site. The site map(s) must show the address or GPS coordinates and total area (acres) of the proposed project. For an example of a site map, click here.
Letter of support must be provided by a qualified, arms-length third-party, who has demonstrated experience planning, designing, and creating water retention features, such as a Conservation Authority, engineer, or contractor, using the provided template.

HERE

Participation requise à des événements de partage des connaissances

Comment puis-je soumettre ma demande?

Limites de l’aide financière à frais partagés

Limites de l’aide financière

OSCIA reserves the right to require additional documentation to support confirming a decision for all submitted funding applications.
The eligible start date for your project is the date specified on the approval notification issued by OSCIA for each successful application. Projects cannot be started before that date.
OSCIA issues an initial payment after the applicant has committed to maintaining the practice for the required period of time, as outlined in a signed Land Use Agreement and complete claim package. Final payments are issued after the approved practice has been fully implemented on the acres applied for, and all required final claim documentation has been received by OSCIA. Larger projects may be awarded extended payment timelines. The project must be paid for in full by the applicant prior to funding being issued.
Applicants are responsible for securing all necessary approvals and permits for the proposed project before starting and complying with all applicable municipal bylaws and provincial or federal regulations. OSCIA may require copies of permits obtained for some projects before issuing payments.
OSCIA reserves the right to require additional documentation and ultimately accept or reject a claim for funding consideration.
Stacking of Resilient Agricultural Landscapes Program (RALP) funding from one or more businesses towards the same project is not permitted.
RALP funding cannot be stacked with any other federal, provincial, or municipal sources of funding.
Activities funded under RALP will not be entitled to carbon credits/greenhouse gas (GHG) offsets for the duration of the land use agreement, after which, applicants may be eligible for Federal and Provincial GHG offset systems, as applicable.
All goods and services must be purchased from an entity that is at arm’s length from the farm business. An entity is considered arm’s length if they are not related, not affiliated persons or otherwise controlled by another member or members. Parent/child and siblings, through blood or marriage, or businesses owned by the same individual(s) are not considered arm’s length. Refer to Section 251 of the Income Tax Act (Canada) for the additional detail on determining arm’s length relationships.
Projects that have received funding are routinely inspected. The decision to inspect may be based on project type, amount of funding, or any other criteria selected by OSCIA. Projects may also be inspected randomly. Inspections may be carried out before the final claim is paid or may also be carried out to confirm the project complies with the signed Land Use Agreement through out the term of the agreement. Biosecurity protocols are followed by all representatives of OSCIA.
Funding is intended to cover the costs associated with successful project establishment, on-going maintenance to support the new practice for the term of the land use agreement, and to encourage long-term changes to improve resiliency of the farm and increase carbon sequestration in alignment with the goals of RALP.
Information presented is the best available at the current time. In the event of a conflict between anything set out in this program guide and/or any other program material and the Minister’s Order, the Minister’s Order will prevail. Errors and Omissions excepted. Check with OSCIA for applicable updates. Material is subject to change without notice as the program evolves.

Autres activités et dépenses non admissibles

Autres activités non admissibles

Projects that have the sole purpose of coming into or maintaining compliance with Requirements of the Law that pertain to current business operations.
Normal operating costs associated with conducting or expanding a business’ current operations, including annual service fees of any type.
Any cost that is eligible for a rebate, credit, or refund (e.g., a refundable portion of the Harmonized Sales Tax).
Gifts and incentives.
Any cost purchased from a supplier who is not at arm’s length from the applicant (i.e., businesses owned the same individual(s), or by siblings or parents, through blood or marriage).
Applicant’s costs of travel, hospitality, meals, and/or accommodations.
Permits and approvals.
Purchase, lease, construction or sale of land, buildings or facilities, and associated taxes or fees (e.g., land transfer tax).
Extended warranties, taxes, legal fees, financing charges, loan interest payments, bank fees.

Comment puis-je soumettre une demande de remboursement?

If an application is approved for an allocation, written confirmation will be provided by OSCIA by email. This approval notification will include:

Confirmation of eligible invoice dates, project completion and claim submission deadlines.
A Land Use Agreement, which must be entered into by the applicant before the initial payment can be issued.
Information required with the claim submission.
Links to the necessary documents (e.g., Claim Form, Electronic Funds Transfer Form, Claim Questionnaire, etc.).
Information on how to submit the claim.

Five to six photos of the project site(s) taken after the project is complete with the date(s) the photos were taken, a geo-referenced point (i.e., identifiable landmark) and GPS coordinates.
Written confirmation from the technical specialist, consultant or Conservation Authority that confirms project is complete and that the anticipated outcomes have been achieved.

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